Job Discussion Forums

charger · Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Posts: 1

I am debating between going to Korea or Turkey. I know that in Korea I can earn more but it isn't the friendliest of countries. More importantly, after living in Holland for a year on exchange I have a ton of friends who live in Turkey.

I was wondering what's involved with teaching privates in Turkey, how do I get new customers? Etc.

Any help is appreciated.

kserasera · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 16

getting privates is all about networking Smile

matthew156 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 140 Location: The Majik Kindom

Hi charger,

I've been teaching here for two years now and privates are few and far between, well at least for me anyways. If you want to teach someone for 5TL an hour ($3.75CAN an hour) you'll have to get about ten of them together and form a class. Then most of them comment that they only want you privately at this price. The reason for this is because there are so many fly by night private English classes offered by Turkish university students that they compete wih each other driving the price down far below acceptable limits. They also rip students off by taking an advance pay and not showing up for classes. There is no qualification either, they have no degree yet and certainly not any kind of certificate. (TESL,TEFL,CELTA etc.)

Regards.
Matt

ossie39 · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 105

I would like to support the points made by Matthew. It is quite common for university students to teach although generally they are pretty piss poor at English. I haven't seen many pass proficiency level external exams.
It is only reasonable to require one month payment in advance. You got your bills to pay. Some Turks talk about lessons but then nothing materialises. You are better to get a fixed job and count yourself lucky if you get 1 or 2 privates in time. Don't forget you would have to leave the country after 3 months without a permit so there are those expenses to account for.

moharem bey · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Istanbul

I agree with Ossie and Matthew.

Privates are a pain. I'm begged to teach (like it's life or death), then they cancel.

My advice to to price yourself high, get a commitment, and get paid in advance. Cancellations without 24 hour notice should be paid and deducted from the total number of hours.